Siddhachal Caves

Rock-cut Tirthankara figures carved into the cliffs of Gwalior fort, some of them colossal.

Cut into the fort’s sandstone escarpment in the fifteenth century under the Tomar rulers, the largest of the figures stands around seventeen metres. They are approached along the road up to the fort, so most visitors meet them without meaning to.

Many were damaged in the sixteenth century and repaired later; the marks are visible and are usually left rather than smoothed away.

Written for Jain Times. Corrections are welcome — see sources and licences.